Global Category Manager
AB Mauri Global Bakery Ingredients

Organization 
AB Mauri is a global leader in yeast and bakery ingredients, with over 6,000 employees across 32 countries and sales in more than 100 countries. They support bakers of all sizes, from small craft and artisan bakers to large industrial operations. Each country business is dedicated to the opportunities and demands of its local market, backed by AB Mauri’s global expertise in bakery products and technologies.
The global technology center in Etten-Leur, known as AB Mauri Global Bakery Ingredients (GBI), plays a crucial role in delivering this expertise. This center, along with a small production site, employs around 120 people from over 20 nationalities, creating a truly international environment.
AB Mauri is part of Associated British Foods (ABF), a diversified international group that includes well-known brands in food, ingredients, and retail. ABF’s portfolio ranges from household staples to specialty ingredients, with brands like Twinings, Jordans, and fashion retailer Primark. The group is listed on the London Stock Exchange, operates in 52 countries, employs over 133,000 people, and generates a turnover of approximately €23 billion.

Main goal of the position 
The main purpose of this role is to lead the enzymes and sourdough categories for both bakery ingredients and ferment technology solutions. The role focuses heavily on supply market knowledge and insights to drive the innovation agenda. Through high-performance, multi-functional category management, you will ensure that AB Mauri to achieves a competitive advantage in the market for these ingredient technologies, which support and drive the ambitious growth strategies.

The position 
As the Global Category Manager at AB Mauri, you will lead category teams and activities, both internally and with external supply and innovation partners. 
You will manage the supplier technology landscape in enzymes, sourdough strains, and new categories like fermented flours. 
Your role involves providing detailed supply, product, and market insights, and leveraging these to strengthen AB Mauri's market position. 
You will oversee the conversion of existing products to new bakery ingredient technologies, requiring project management skills. 
Additionally, you will track M&A activity in the enzymes category and seek new supply partners in emerging markets. 
Identifying third-party manufacturing partners and resolving regulatory challenges with the Regulatory Affairs department are also key responsibilities. 
Staying updated on ESG impacts, you will identify opportunities and risks early. Your efforts will ensure a best-in-class cost base, maximum value from supplier relationships, and an optimal supplier portfolio.
In this position you will report to the Managing Director of AB Mauri Global Bakery Ingredients with a dotted line to the Head of Procurement of AB Mauri in the United Kingdom. 

The profile

• a Bachelor’s or Master’s (preferred) degree in e.g. food technology or chemical technology; although you can have different industry experience, at least five years of experience within the food industry is needed to be successful in this role. You combine this with business experience in similar roles over several years; 
• excellent commercial and communication skills; 
• marketing - , Intellectual Property - and/or bakery ingredients experience are seen as a plus; 
• competent in gaining business insights and strategy as well as delivery and execution;
• experience in partnership development with strategic suppliers;
• experience in sustainability practices and knowledge of lifecycle analysis;
• excellent knowledge of customer cost drivers; 
• you are fluent in English, both verbally in writing; 
• willingness to travel internationally.  

Our client is only open to candidates already working and living in Europe and candidates already living and working in the Netherlands are seen as preferred candidates.

Process
There will be several interview rounds with representatives from Lodiers & Partners (week 5 and 6) and with our client (week 9 and 10). A personality questionnaire (Lumina) is part of this process.

Contact
For more information or to submit your application, please contact Karin Benning at +31 6 30148514 or benning@lodiersenpartners.nl.